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Montgomery County Overview
Montgomery County Code
Preliminary Information
Preface
Part I. The Charter. [Note]
Part II. Local Laws, Ordinances, Resolutions, Etc.
Chapter 1. General Provisions.
Chapter 1A. Structure of County Government.
Chapter 2. Administration. [Note]
Chapter 2A. Administrative Procedures Act. [Note]
Chapter 2B. AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION.*
Chapter 3. Air Quality Control. [Note]
Chapter 3A. Alarms. [Note]
Chapter 4. Amusements. [Note]
Chapter 5. Animal Control. [Note]
Chapter 5A. Arts and Humanities. [Note]
Chapter 6. Auction Sales.
Chapter 6A. Beverage Containers. [Note]
Chapter 7. Bicycles. [Note]
Chapter 7A. Off-the-road Vehicles
Chapter 8. Buildings. [Note]
Chapter 8A. Cable Communications. [Note]
Chapter 9. Reserved.*
Chapter 9A. Reserved. [Note]
Chapter 10. Reserved.*
Chapter 10A. Child Care.
Chapter 10B. Common Ownership Communities. [Note]
Chapter 11. Consumer Protection. [Note]
Chapter 11A. Condominiums. [Note]
Chapter 11B. Contracts and Procurement. [Note]
Chapter 11C. Cooperative Housing. [Note]
Chapter 12. Courts. [Note]
Chapter 13. Detention Centers and Rehabilitation Facilities. [Note]
Chapter 13A. Reserved*.
Chapter 14. Development Districts.
Chapter 15. Eating and Drinking Establishments. [Note]
Chapter 15A. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.*
Chapter 16. Elections. [Note]
Chapter 17. Electricity. [Note]
Chapter 18. Elm Disease. [Note]
Chapter 18A. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY [Note]
Chapter 19. EROSION, SEDIMENT CONTROL AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. [Note]
Chapter 19A. Ethics. [Note]
Chapter 20. Finance. [Note]
Chapter 20A. Special Obligation Debt.
Chapter 21. Fire and Rescue Services.*
Chapter 22. Fire Safety Code. [Note]
Chapter 22A. Forest Conservation - Trees. [Note]
Chapter 23. RESERVED*
Chapter 23A. Group Homes. [Note]
Chapter 23B. Financial Assistance to Nonprofit Service Organizations. [Note]
Chapter 24. Health and Sanitation.
Chapter 24A. Historic Resources Preservation. [Note]
Chapter 24B. Homeowners' Associations. [Note]
Chapter 25. Hospitals, Sanitariums, Nursing and Care Homes. [Note]
Chapter 25A. Housing, Moderately Priced. [Note]
Chapter 25B. Housing Policy. [Note]
Chapter 26. Housing and Building Maintenance Standards.*
Chapter 27. Human Rights and Civil Liberties.
Chapter 27A. Individual Water Supply and Sewage Disposal Facilities. [Note]
Chapter 28. RESERVED.* [Note]
Chapter 29. Landlord-Tenant Relations. [Note]
Chapter 29A. Legislative Oversight.
Chapter 30. Licensing and Regulations Generally. [Note]
Chapter 30A. Montgomery County Municipal Revenue Program. [Note]
Chapter 30B. RESERVED*
Chapter 30C. Motor Vehicle Towing and Immobilization on Private Property. [Note]
Chapter 31. Motor Vehicles and Traffic.
Chapter 31A. Motor Vehicle Repair and Towing Registration. [Note]
Chapter 31B. Noise Control. [Note]
Chapter 31C. NEW HOME BUILDER AND SELLER REGISTRATION AND WARRANTY. [Note]
Chapter 32. Offenses-Victim Advocate. [Note]
Chapter 33. Personnel and Human Resources. [Note]
Chapter 33A. Planning Procedures. [Note]
Chapter 33B. Pesticides. [Note]
Chapter 34. Plumbing and Gas Fitting. [Note]
Chapter 35. Police. [Note]
Chapter 36. Pond Safety. [Note]
Chapter 36A. Public Service Company Underground Facilities.
Chapter 37. Public Welfare. [Note]
Chapter 38. Quarries. [Note]
Chapter 38A. Radio, Television and Electrical Appliance Installation and Repairs. [Note]
Chapter 39. Rat Control. [Note]
Chapter 40. Real Property. [Note]
Chapter 41. Recreation and Recreation Facilities. [Note]
Chapter 41A. Rental Assistance. [Note]
Chapter 42. Revenue Authority. [Note]
Chapter 42A. Ridesharing and Transportation Management. [Note]
Chapter 43. Reserved.*
Chapter 44. Schools and Camps. [Note]
Chapter 44A. Secondhand Personal Property. [Note]
Chapter 45. Sewers, Sewage Disposal and Drainage. [Note]
Chapter 46. Slaughterhouses.
Chapter 47. Vendors.
Chapter 48. Solid Waste (Trash). [Note]
Chapter 49. Streets and Roads.*
Chapter 49A. Reserved.*
Chapter 50. Subdivision of Land. [Note]
Chapter 51. Swimming Pools. [Note]
Chapter 51A. Tanning Facilities. [Note]
Chapter 52. Taxation.* [Note]
Chapter 53. TAXICABS.*
Chapter 53A. Tenant Displacement. [Note]
Chapter 54. Transient Lodging Facilities. [Note]
Chapter 54A. Transit Facilities. [Note]
Chapter 55. TREE CANOPY. [Note]
Chapter 56. Urban Renewal and Community Development. [Note]
Chapter 56A. Video Games. [Note]
Chapter 57. Weapons.
Chapter 58. Weeds. [Note]
Chapter 59. Zoning.
Part III. Special Taxing Area Laws. [Note]
Appendix
Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance (2014)
COMCOR - Code of Montgomery County Regulations
COMCOR Code of Montgomery County Regulations
FORWARD
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 1A. STRUCTURE OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 2. ADMINISTRATION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 2B. AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 3. AIR QUALITY CONTROL - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 3A. ALARMS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 5. ANIMAL CONTROL - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 8. BUILDINGS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 8A. CABLE COMMUNICATIONS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 10B. COMMON OWNERSHIP COMMUNITIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 11. CONSUMER PROTECTION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 11A. CONDOMINIUMS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 11B. CONTRACTS AND PROCUREMENT - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 13. DETENTION CENTERS AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 15. EATING AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 16. ELECTIONS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 17. ELECTRICITY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 18A. ENERGY POLICY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 19. EROSION, SEDIMENT CONTROL AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 19A. ETHICS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 20 FINANCE - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 21 FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 22. FIRE SAFETY CODE - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 22A. FOREST CONSERVATION - TREES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 23A. GROUP HOMES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 24. HEALTH AND SANITATION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 24A. HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 24B. HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 25. HOSPITALS, SANITARIUMS, NURSING AND CARE HOMES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 25A. HOUSING, MODERATELY PRICED - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 25B. HOUSING POLICY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 26. HOUSING AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE STANDARDS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 27. HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 27A. INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 29. LANDLORD-TENANT RELATIONS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 30. LICENSING AND REGULATIONS GENERALLY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 30C. MOTOR VEHICLE TOWING AND IMMOBILIZATION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 31. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 31A. MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR AND TOWING REGISTRATION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 31B. NOISE CONTROL - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 31C. NEW HOME BUILDER AND SELLER REGISTRATION AND WARRANTY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 33. PERSONNEL AND HUMAN RESOURCES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 33B. PESTICIDES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 35. POLICE - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 36. POND SAFETY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 38A. RADIO, TELEVISION AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE INSTALLATION AND REPAIRS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 40. REAL PROPERTY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 41. RECREATION AND RECREATION FACILITIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 41A. RENTAL ASSISTANCE - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 42A. RIDESHARING AND TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 44. SCHOOLS AND CAMPS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 44A. SECONDHAND PERSONAL PROPERTY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 45. SEWERS, SEWAGE DISPOSAL AND DRAINAGE - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 47. VENDORS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 48. SOLID WASTES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 49. STREETS AND ROADS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 50. SUBDIVISION OF LAND - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 51 SWIMMING POOLS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 51A. TANNING FACILITIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 52. TAXATION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 53. TAXICABS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 53A. TENANT DISPLACEMENT - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 54. TRANSIENT LODGING FACILITIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 55. TREE CANOPY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 56. URBAN RENEWAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 56A. VIDEO GAMES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 57. WEAPONS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 59. ZONING - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 60. SILVER SPRING, BETHESDA, WHEATON AND MONTGOMERY HILLS PARKING LOT DISTRICTS - REGULATIONS
MISCELLANEOUS MONTGOMERY COUNTY REGULATIONS
TABLE 1 Previous COMCOR Number to Current COMCOR Number
TABLE 2 Executive Regulation Number to Current COMCOR Number
TABLE 3 Executive Order Number to Current COMCOR Number
INDEX BY AGENCY
INDEX BY SUBJECT
County Attorney Opinions and Advice of Counsel
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Section 2.1. Rules of Interpretation
   The following rules of interpretation apply to this Chapter.
   A.   How to Compute Periods Measured in Months. If a period of time is measured in months, the period begins and ends on the same day of a month; however, if there are not enough days in the final month for this to be possible, the period ends on the final day of the final month.
   B.   How to Compute Periods Measured in Days. If this Chapter requires or allows a person to perform an act within a specific time period measured in days, the person must compute the deadline in the following manner:
      1.   If the period follows an event, count the day after the event as the first day of the period.
      2.   Count the remaining number of calendar days in the period; however, if the period is 7 days or fewer, omit Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.
      3.   Do not count the last day if it is a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or if the office where the person must file a document or perform an act is not open during the regular hours of that office on that day.
   C.   Requirements to Act by a Specific Date.
      1.   If the law requires or allows a person to perform an act by a specific date, but the specific date is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the person may perform the act on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
      2.   Any action required to be taken within a specific time period is measured from the date of a final agency action, or, if a party seeks judicial review of the agency action, from the date the court makes a final decision.
   D.   Signatures. The signature of a person may be the actual signature of the person or a mark that the person has authorized.
   E.   Singular and Plural. The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular.
   F.   Tense. The present tense includes the future tense.
   G.   Use of “Or”. “Or” indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions, or events may apply singularly or in any combination.
   H.   Use of “Includes”. “Includes” does not limit a term to the specific examples.
   I.   Titles of Articles, Divisions, and Sections. Titles and captions are not part of the law. They only advise the reader of the content of each Article, Division, or Section.
   J.   Use of “Chapter”. “Chapter” means a numbered section in the Montgomery County Code.
   K.   Use of “Section”. In this Chapter, “Section” means section or subsection, as the context indicates.
   L.   Use of “In Writing”. In this Chapter, written communication includes electronic communication.
   M.   Reference to County Standards. For infrastructure under the jurisdiction of State or local municipalities, references in these regulations to County standards, published policy, and procedures include the applicable standards, policy, and procedures of the agency responsible for maintaining the infrastructure. (Ord. No. 18-19, §2; Ord. No. 19-12, §1.)
Section 2.2. Definitions
   All terms used in this Chapter that are defined in Chapter 59 or Chapter 49 have the same meanings as the definitions in those Chapters, unless otherwise defined here. In this Chapter, the following words and phrases have the meanings indicated.
   A.
   Administrative Civil Penalty: A monetary penalty imposed by the Board after considering the factors in this Chapter for violating a Planning Board Action or Director Action.
   Administrative Subdivision Plan: A preliminary plan submitted for the Director’s approval before the preparation of a plat.
   Agricultural Land: Land classified in the Agricultural Reserve zone established by Division 4.2 of Chapter 59; and land in other zones containing at least 25 acres devoted to an agricultural use as defined in Chapter 59.
   Applicant, Developer or Subdivider: An individual, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity and its agent that undertakes the subdivision of land or the activities covered by this Chapter. The terms include all persons involved in successive stages of the project, even though such persons may change and ownership of the land may change. Each term includes the other.
   B.
   Bikeshare Station or Stations: A designated area on publicly or privately owned real property that contains one or more of the following items: bikeshare dock, terminal, technical platform, battery, and map frame.
   Bicycle Facilities: Any infrastructure or amenity required to provide for or enhance use of bicycles for transportation or recreational purposes by the public, including but not limited to the following: bikeways, bicycle parking equipment or structures, bicycle repair stands, bikeshare stations, and end-of-trip services such as showers and changing rooms.
   Board: The Montgomery County Planning Board of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
   Block: Land area bounded by roads, other rights-of-way, unsubdivided acreage, natural barriers, and any other barrier to the continuity of development.
   Building Envelope: The portion of a lot, enclosed by the front, rear, and side setback lines and any additional building restriction lines, in which a structure may be placed.
   Building Restriction Line: A line designating an area in which development or building is prohibited under this Chapter.
   Burial site: A physical location where human remains were buried in the earth, or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. A burial site includes a cemetery, but does not include the sprinkling of ashes from cremated remains.
   C.
   Citation: A document noting a violation of a Planning Board Action or Director Action, seeking to impose a civil fine or corrective action.
   Civil Fine: A requirement to pay a predetermined sum of money specified in an administrative citation for violating a Planning Board Action or Director Action.
   Commission: The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
   Council: The Montgomery County Council sitting as the District Council.
   County Executive: The Montgomery County Executive.
   D.
   Department of Permitting Services: The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services.
   Department of Transportation: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation.
   Development: The act of building structures and installing site improvements, both public and private, or the resulting structures and improvements.
   Development Review Committee: A review committee to whom a plan is referred under the requirements of this Chapter. The Committee consists of Planning Department Staff and staff of any County, State, and Federal agency; municipality; and utility company and meets with applicants to facilitate review of the plan.
   Developer: see “Applicant”.
   Development Rights: The potential for the improvement of a tract of land based on its zoning classification, measured in dwelling units or floor area.
   Director: The Director of the Montgomery County Planning Department or such Director’s designee.
   Director Action: A written decision on a preliminary plan, site plan, or other plan, including all associated terms, conditions, requirements, and other obligations or limits, made by the Director under State law and Chapters 50 and 59, including any regulations approved under State or County law. For the purposes of an enforcement action, a Director Action excludes a decision made by the Director under Chapter 22A.
   District or Regional District: The Maryland-Washington Regional District, established by the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
   E.
   Easement: A grant or reservation by the owner of land for the use of all or a portion of the land to others, including the public, for a specific purpose or purposes. The easement must be included in the conveyance of the encumbered land. For platting under this Chapter, an easement area is included within the dimensions and areas of the lots through which the easement may run, and is not separated from the lot as in the case of a dedicated right-of-way.
   Easement, Slope: An easement to permit the creation and maintenance of slopes necessary to stabilize construction or to stabilize lands adjacent to construction.
   Enforcement Agent: The Director, or the Director’s designee responsible for determining compliance with a Planning Board Action or Director Action.
   Engineer: A professional engineer licensed in Maryland.
   Environmentally Sensitive Area: In this Chapter, environmentally sensitive areas are limited to: (a) slopes equal to or exceeding 25 percent, wetlands, streams, and associated buffers as defined in the latest version of the “Guidelines for Environmental Management of Development in Montgomery County”; and (b) critical habitats for threatened or endangered wildlife or plant species as defined in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 08.03.08, or for species designated by the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources as rare, watchlist, or in need of conservation.
   F.
   Floodplain: as defined in Chapter 19.
   Floodplain, 100-year: as defined in Chapter 19.
   G.
   Growth and Infrastructure Policy: The resolution or guidelines adopted by the District Council to determine the adequacy of public facilities and services.
   Growth Tiers: Tiers adopted by Montgomery County under Subtitle 5 of the Land Use Article.
   H.
   I.
   Improvements: Required public or private infrastructure needed to support the development, including the following: roads; alleys; grading; road pavement; curbs and gutters; sidewalks; pedestrian ways or paths; bicycle infrastructure, including bikeshare facilities; water mains; sanitary sewer lines; water supply and sewage disposal; storm drain facilities; curb returns; sidewalk and driveway entrances in right-of-way; guard rails; retaining walls; sodding; planting; street trees; monuments; street lights; and stormwater management.
   Improvement, Public: Any improvements located on land dedicated to the public or within a dedicated right-of-way or public improvement easement.
   J.
   K.
   L.
   Land Surveyor: A land surveyor who is licensed in the State to “practice land surveying” as defined in the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Code Ann. Section 15-101, as amended.
   Limit of Disturbance Line: A line designating an area beyond which land disturbance as defined in Chapter 19 is prohibited.
   Lot: A discrete area of land that is described by a plat recorded in the land records for which the Department of Permitting Services may issue a building permit.
   M.
   Maryland Coordinate System: The coordinate system defined in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Real Prop. §§ 14-401 through 14-407.
   Maryland-Washington Regional District in Montgomery County: An area defined by the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland as the entire County; however, subdivision, planning, and zoning matters within the jurisdictional boundaries of Brookeville, Poolesville, Laytonsville, Rockville, Barnesville, Gaithersburg, and Washington Grove are governed only by each municipality’s ordinance.
   Master Plan: A plan of any portion of the General Plan that may consist of maps, data, and other descriptive matter that guides the physical development of the district or any portion of the district, including any amendments, extensions, or additions by the Commission, indicating the general locations for major roads, parks or other public spaces, public building sites, routes for public utilities, zones, or other similar information. Master plan includes a sector plan and any other type of master plan prepared by the Board and approved by the District Council. See Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
   Mid-Block Right-of-Way: A pedestrian or bike right-of-way within a block, which may include utilities where necessary, and from which motor vehicles are typically excluded.
   Minor Subdivision: Creation of lots through the division, resubdivision, or assemblage of a lot, tract, or parcel of land, including minor adjustments to existing lot lines, that does not require the approval of a preliminary plan of subdivision. For the purpose of applying the State Growth Tier rules, a minor subdivision is separately defined in Section 4.3.F.3.a.i.
   N.
   Notice of Hearing: An administrative document issued by the Director that informs an alleged violator where and when an enforcement hearing will be held by the Board or the Board’s designee to address an alleged violation.
   Notice of Violation: A document issued by an enforcement agent that informs a recipient of a violation and specifies the remedial action that the recipient must take to avoid further enforcement action.
   O.
   Outlot: An area of land shown on a record plat on which the construction of a building or other structure requiring a building permit is prohibited.
   Owner: A person or other legal entity holding a legal title in the land, not including a mortgagee, lienor, lessee, or contract purchaser.
   Ownership Plat: A plat approved by the Board and recorded in the land records for the convenience of the property owner that designates land as separate units for purposes of ownership identification only.
   Ownership unit: An area of land shown on an ownership plat or on a record plat created only for the convenience of the owner under Section 7.1.D of this Chapter that reflects a deed, mortgage, or lease line but does not subdivide the underlying lot.
   P.
   Parcel, Unplatted: A contiguous area of land described only in a deed recorded in the land records and not included on a record plat.
   Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, organization, or other legal entity that owns property or otherwise has an interest in a property.
   Place of Worship: A meeting area for religious practices, including a church, a synagogue, a mosque, a convent, a temple, or a monastery.
   Planning Board: see “Board”.
   Planning Board Action: A final decision on a preliminary plan, site plan, project plan, sketch plan, water quality plan, or other plan, including all associated terms, conditions, requirements, and other obligations or limits, made by the Board under State law and Chapters 50 and 59, including any regulations issued under State or County law. For the purposes of an enforcement action, a Planning Board Action excludes a decision made by the Board under Chapter 22A.
   Plat: A drawing depicting some or all of an approved subdivision, prepared and submitted under this Chapter, and intended for recording in the land records after approval by the Board. A plat may consist of one or more sequentially numbered sheets. See also “Record Plat”.
   Preliminary Plan: A drawing for a proposed subdivision submitted for approval before the preparation of a plat.
   Pre-Preliminary Plan: A drawing for a proposed subdivision submitted for binding or non-binding advice before the submission of a preliminary plan.
   Q.
   R.
   Receiving Area: Land designated on the zoning map as qualified for more development than its base density through the transfer of development rights.
   Record Plat: A plat of subdivision recorded in the land records under the requirements of this Chapter.
   Resubdivision: A change to any lot line created by a previously recorded record plat. Resubdivision includes the assembly of recorded lots or parts of previously recorded lots. A resubdivision is a subdivision.
   Right-of-Way: Land intended for the passage of people, vehicles, or utilities, as shown on a record plat or described by a deed of dedication under Section 50.3.3.A.3. Any right-of-way for a public road must be dedicated to public use by the maker of the plat. The land area of a public right-of-way may be donated in fee to the County, state, or other governmental body. The parcel or area delineated on a plat for a private road is the private road right-of-way.
   Road: Any street, highway, avenue, lane, alley, or viaduct, or any segment of any of them. Roads must be created by a subdivision plan under this Chapter and be shown on a record plat or deemed a road under Chapter 49.
   Road, Centerline of: A line established as a centerline of a road right-of-way by any State, County, or other official agency or governing body with jurisdiction and shown on an officially adopted plan or recorded plat. In the absence of an official centerline, the Board or Director must establish the centerline with consultation from the applicable agency with jurisdiction over the road.
   Road Design and Construction Code: Article 3 of Chapter 49 and any regulation that implements and amends that Article.
   S.
   State: The State of Maryland.
   Stop Work Order: In this Chapter, an administrative order issued by an enforcement agent that requires a person to discontinue any further development, construction, or other land disturbance activity authorized by a Planning Board Action or a Director Action until a violation has been corrected.
   Subdivider: see “Applicant”.
   Subdivision (v.): The division or assemblage of a lot, tract, or parcel of land into one or more lots or parcels or other divisions for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or development. The definition of subdivision does not include a bona fide division of exclusively agricultural land not for development purposes. A resubdivision is a subdivision.
   Subdivision (n.): The land or area subdivided.
   Subdivision Regulations: Chapter 50 of the Montgomery County Code, also referred to as this Chapter.
   T.
   Tract: A contiguous area of land, including all proposed and existing rights-of-way, lots, parcels, and other land dedicated or donated in fee by the owner or a predecessor in title. A tract does not include land conveyed to a government for more than nominal consideration.
   Turnaround: The termination of a road in the approximate shape of a “T”, built to allow vehicles to reverse direction using a 3-point turn. A temporary turnaround may become the permanent terminus of a public street when it is so approved by the Director of the Department of Transportation.
   U.
   Utilities: Water, sewage, gas, electric, energy, telecommunications, telephone, broadband, cable facilities, and similar facilities that serve the public.
   V.
   W.
   Water Quality Plan: A plan, including supporting documents, required as part of a water quality review under Chapter 19 for certain projects located in a special protection area.
   WMATA: The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
   WSSC: The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.
   X.
   Y.
   Z.
(Mont. Co. Code 1965, §104-1; Ord. No. 6-123; Ord. No. 6-129, §2; Ord. No. 9-11, §1; Ord. No. 9-24, §1; Ord. No. 10-47, §1; Ord. No. 10-78, §1; Ord. No. 12-74, §1; Ord. No. 12-83, §1; Ord. No. 13-57, §1; Ord. No. 13-91, §1; Ord. No. 15-22, §1; Ord. No. 15-65, §1; Ord. No. 16-05, §1; Ord. No. 16-47, §1; Ord. No. 18-19, §2; Ord. No. 18-31, §1; 2021 L.M.C., ch. 3, §1; Ord. No. 19-22, §1.)
   Editor’s note—All of Montgomery County lies within the Maryland-Washington Regional District, subject to the limitations contained in article 28 of the Md. Ann. Code.
   This section is cited in Lee v. Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, 107 Md.App. 486, 668 A.2d 980 (1995). Section 2.2 [formerly §50-1 and, prior to that, §104-1] is cited in Gruver-Cooley Jade Corporation v. Perlis, 252 Md. 684, 251 A.2d 589 (1969). Section 2.2 [formerly §50-1 and, prior to that, §19-1] is cited in Nohowel v. Hall, 218 Md. 160, 146 A.2d 187 (1958).
   Ord. No. 15-65, §2, states: This ordinance takes effect on March 1, 2006. Section 50-41 [now portions of §§2.2 and 10.6], as amended by this ordinance, applies to any enforcement action taken on or after that date, including any action to enforce a Planning Board Action taken before that date.
DIVISION 50.3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Section 3.1. Applicability of the Chapter
   This Chapter applies to any subdivision of land within Montgomery County located within the Maryland-Washington Regional District, except for a good faith division of exclusively agricultural land that is not made for development purposes. (Mont. Co. Code 1965, §104-3; Ord. No. 18-19, §2.)
   Editor’s note—This section is quoted in Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission v. Town of Washington Grove, 408 Md. 37; 968 A.2d 552 (2009).
   All of the county now lies within the Maryland-Washington Regional District subject to the limitations contained in Md. Ann. Code, art. 28.
Section 3.2. Record Plat Required
   A.   Any subdivision of land must be included on a plat approved by the Board and recorded in the land records before transfer of any part of the subdivided land.
   B.   A building permit may only be issued for a building located on a lot or parcel shown on a plat recorded in the County Land Records or on a parcel exempt from recording requirements under Subsection 3.3.B, and in a manner that does not result in the building or structure crossing a lot line. (Mont. Co. Code 1965, §§104-8, 104-9; Ord. No. 5-171, §1; Ord. No. 10-47, §2; Ord. No. 10-60, §§1, 2; Ord. No. 10-73, §1; Ord. No. 10-78, §§2, 3; Ord. No. 11-53, §2; Ord. No. 13-57, §2; Ord. No. 13-65, §1; Ord. No. 13-84, §1; Ord. No. 14-8, §1; Ord. No. 15-22, §2; Ord. No. 15-67, §1; Ord. No. 16-10, §1; Ord. No. 16-26; §1; Ord. No. 16-35, §1; Ord. No. 17-04, §1; Ord. No. 17-29, §1; Ord. No. 71-31; §1; Ord. No. 17-36, §§1, 2; Ord. No. 17-47, §1; Ord. No. 18-04, §1; Ord. No. 18-06, §1; Ord. No. 18-19, §2; Ord. No. 19-22, §2.)
   Editor’s note—Portions of Section 3.2, 3.6 and 4.3 [collectively, formerly §50-20] are quoted in Remes v. Montgomery County, 387 Md. 52, 874 A.2d 470 (2005). Portions of the above sections are cited in Waters Landing Ltd. Partnership v. Montgomery County, 337 Md. 15, 650 A.2d 712 (1994); are described in Donohoe Construction Company, Inc. v. Montgomery County Council, 567 F.2d 603 (4th Cir. 1977); and are cited in Logan v. Town of Somerset, 271 Md. 42, 314 A.2d 436 (1974).
   Ord. No. 19-12, § 3, states: Automatic Extensions.
   (a) Notwithstanding any provision of portions of Section 4.3.J to the contrary, the validity period of any determination of adequate public facilities that was valid on March 31, 2009, or for which a timely application for an extension of the validity period was pending on March 31, 2009 is automatically extended for 8 years after the date when the validity period would otherwise have expired. This 8-year extension includes any extension granted automatically by any previous subdivision amendment and must be treated for all purposes as part of the validity period that was extended.
   (b) Notwithstanding any provision of portions of Section 4.3.J to the contrary, the validity period of any determination of adequate public facilities that was valid on March 31, 2011, or for which a timely application for an extension of the validity period was pending on March 31, 2011, is automatically extended for 6 years after the date when the validity period would otherwise have expired. This 6-year extension includes any extension granted automatically by any previous subdivision amendment and must be treated for all purposes as part of the validity period that was extended.
   (c) Notwithstanding any provision of portions of Section 4.3.J to the contrary, the validity period of any determination of adequate public facilities that was valid on March 31, 2013, or for which a timely application for an extension of the validity period was pending on March 31, 2013, is automatically extended for 4 years after the date when the validity period would otherwise have expired. This 4-year extension includes any extension granted automatically by any previous subdivision amendment and must be treated for all purposes as part of the validity period that was extended.
   (d) Notwithstanding any provision of portions of Section 4.3.J to the contrary, the validity period of any determination of adequate public facilities that was valid on March 31, 2015 or for which a timely application for an extension of the validity period was pending on March 31, 2015, is automatically extended for 2 years after the date when the validity period would otherwise have expired. This 2-year extension must be treated for all purposes as part of the validity period that was extended.
   (e) Notwithstanding any provision of portions of Section 4.3.J to the contrary, the validity period of any determination of adequate public facilities that was valid on July 28, 2020, or for which a timely application for an extension of the validity period was pending on July 28, 2020, is automatically extended for 2 years after the date when the validity period would otherwise have expired. This 2-year extension includes any extension granted automatically by any previous subdivision amendment and must be treated for all purposes as part of the validity period that was extended.
   Ord. No. 19-12, § 4, states: Automatic Extensions:
   (a) Notwithstanding any provision of Section 4.2.G to the contrary, the validity period of any preliminary subdivision plan that was valid on March 31, 2009, or for which a timely application for an extension of the validity period was pending on March 31, 2009, including any separate phase of a multi-phase plan, is automatically extended for 8 years after the date when the validity period would otherwise have expired. This 8-year extension includes any extension granted automatically by any previous subdivision amendment and must be treated for all purposes as part of the validity period that was extended.
   (b) Notwithstanding any provision of Section 4.2.G to the contrary, the validity period of any preliminary subdivision plan that was valid on March 31, 2011, or for which a timely application for an extension of the validity period was pending on March 31, 2011, including any separate phase of a multi-phase plan, is automatically extended for 6 years after the date when the validity period would otherwise have expired. This 6-year extension includes any extension granted automatically by any previous subdivision amendment and must be treated for all purposes as part of the validity period that was extended.
   (c) Notwithstanding any provision of Section 4.2.G to the contrary, the validity period of any preliminary subdivision plan that was valid on March 31, 2013, or for which a timely application for an extension of the validity period was pending on March 31, 2013, including any separate phase of a multi-phase plan, is automatically extended for 4 years after the date when the validity period would otherwise have expired. This 4-year extension includes any extension granted automatically by any previous subdivision amendment and must be treated for all purposes as part of the validity period that was extended.
   (d) Notwithstanding any provision of Section 4.2.G to the contrary, the validity period of any preliminary subdivision plan that was valid on March 31, 2015, or for which a timely application for an extension of the validity period was pending on March 31, 2015, including any separate phase of a multi-phase plan, is automatically extended for 2 years after the date when the validity period would otherwise have expired. This 2-year extension must be treated for all purposes as part of the validity period that was extended.
   (e) Notwithstanding any provision of Section 4.2.G to the contrary, the validity period of any preliminary subdivision plan that was valid on July 28, 2020, or for which a timely application for an extension of the validity period was pending on July 28, 2020, including any separate phase of a multi-phase plan, is automatically extended for 2 years after the date when the validity period would otherwise have expired. This 2-year extension must be treated for all purposes as part of the validity period that was extended.
Section 3.3. Exemptions to the Requirements of this Chapter
   A.   An approved preliminary plan and recording of a plat under this Chapter are not required for the division or conveyance of unplatted land in the following instances:
      1.   Court action. Partition of land by will or through action of a court of competent jurisdiction unless or until development of the land is proposed.
      2.   Utility rights-of-way. Land used as part of an electric transmission line right-of-way or other public utility right-of-way.
      3.   Advanced dedication or donation to the County, state, or other governmental body of master planned road rights-of-way.
   B.   Recordation of a plat before issuance of a building permit is not required for:
      1.   Agricultural land used for residential dwellings. An unplatted parcel of agricultural land at least 25 acres in size used for a primary dwelling unit if density and development rights are available and the parcel is eligible to obtain any required sewage disposal permits.
      2.   Public transfer. A part of a lot previously shown on a record plat that was created by transfer of part of the lot for public use by reference to a recorded instrument, if the outlines and dimensions of such remainder can be determined by reference to the previously recorded plat. This provision also applies to any property that qualified for an exemption under this Section before the transfer.
      3.   Adjoining property. A part of a lot created by deed recorded before May 19, 1997 between owners of adjoining platted properties for the purpose of small adjustments in boundaries. This applies only to an adjustment that was less than either a total of 2,000 square feet or one percent of the combined area, if additional lots were not created and the total area of resulting ownership was not reduced below the minimum size required by this Chapter or by Chapter 59.
      4.   Property for Single-Unit Living:
         a.   An unplatted parcel or a part of a previously platted lot, proposed for single-unit living, which has not changed in size or shape since June 1, 1958, if a description and location of the property and proposed structure are submitted to the Planning Department, before issuance of a building permit, sufficient to:
            i.   locate the property on the tax maps of Montgomery County;
            ii.   show that the approval of the building permit application would not result in obstructing the future opening, extension, or widening of any necessary road, or otherwise jeopardize any planned public facility;
            iii.   show that the property and use comply with the zoning ordinance, and show the setbacks and any other information needed to check compliance with regulations, including provisions for water and sanitary service, and establishment of a building restriction line along any existing or proposed road sufficient to provide for future expansion or opening of such road to its ultimate width; and
            iv.   show that the approval of the permit would not adversely affect the General Plan.
         b.   An unplatted parcel or a part of a previously platted lot used for reconstruction of an existing detached house under Chapter 59, Section 7.7.1.
         c.   An unplatted parcel created by combining the entirety of two or more contiguous parcels that qualified for an exemption under Subsection (a).
      5.   Certain residential property in the City of Takoma Park. Property located in the portion of the City of Takoma Park annexed into Montgomery County on July 1, 1997 that was recorded by a deed before January 1, 1982 and remains otherwise buildable under the Prince George’s County Zoning and Subdivision Regulations on June 30, 1997, if a description and locational survey drawing of the property and proposed structure are submitted to locate them on the tax map of Montgomery County.
      6.   Certain commercial properties adjoining State highways. An addition to a building on property zoned for commercial uses:
         a.   adjoining a State highway;
         b.   located within a State-approved Community Legacy Plan Area on October 30, 2012;
         c.   with less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area on October 30, 2012, where subsequent building permits cumulatively allow increases in total gross floor area by less than 2,000 square feet; and
         d.   that includes a description and boundary survey drawing of the property and proposed structure at a 1-inch-equals-50-foot scale or another appropriate scale as determined by the Director that demonstrates that the additional floor area will not extend into any adopted master plan road right-of-way.
      7.   Certain commercial properties adjoining State highways in Rural Village Overlay zones. An addition, reconstruction, or replacement of a building on commercially zoned property:
         a.   adjoining a State highway;
         b.   located in the Rural Village Overlay zone;
         c.   with less than 10,000 square feet of existing gross floor area where later building permits cumulatively allow net increases in total gross floor area of less than 2,000 square feet;
         d.   that includes a description and boundary survey drawing of the property and proposed structure on a 1-inch-equals-50-foot scale or another appropriate scale, as determined by the Director, showing that the additional floor area will not extend into any adopted master plan road right-of-way; and
         e.   that is submitted within one year after demolition or destruction of the previous building was substantially completed.
      8.   Certain non-residential properties. An unplatted parcel or a part of a previously platted lot used for reconstruction of a non-residential structure involuntarily demolished by force of nature if the floor area, height, and footprint of the new replacement structure are not increased.
      9.   Agricultural land used for Farm Alcohol Production or agritourism. An unplatted parcel used for Farm Alcohol Production or for Accessory Agricultural Education and Tourism.
      10.   Utility and Communication Structures. The construction of telecommunications towers, antennas, solar arrays, relay stations, or similar facilities, including their associated accessory structures, which are not intended for the shelter, support, or enclosure of persons, unless otherwise required by the Board or unless future development of the land requires a subdivision plan. (Mont. Co. Code 1965, §104-8; Ord. No. 5-171, §1; Ord. No. 10-60, §1; Ord. No. 10-78, §2; Ord. No. 13-57, §2; Ord. No. 13-84, §1; Ord. No. 15-22, §2; Ord. No. 17-29, §1; Ord. No. 17-36, §1; Ord. No. 17-47, §1; Ord. No. 18-06, §1; Ord. No. 18-19, §2; Ord. No. 19-18, § 1; Ord. No. 19-22, §2.)
Section 3.4. Approving Authority
   The Board administers this Chapter. (Mont. Co. Code 1965, §104-4; Ord. No. 18-19, §2.)
   Editor’s note—In Baker v. Montgomery County Council, 241 Md. 178, 215 A.2d 831 (1966), the court ruled that the word “shall” in the predecessor to the above section is mandatory.
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